Badger

I think you can be abusive about a managers tactics and style of play without going to town on appearance ( having a Lego Head springs to mind…)*. * which I found amusing so not claiming any moral high ground

Not sure on that one. The fan base is perhaps divided 50:50 on RM, but with Puel I felt the majority wanted him out towards the end of the season. ( so perhaps that supports your point). The one thing on Puel though I don’t recall the abuse being as ‘personal’ as it has been for RM (or perhaps it’s been lost from the memory after a few years).

I think we all would, probably RM as well. I think that’s part of the supporter frustration, we dominate but don’t t make it count. Score 2 or 3 and give ourselves a bit of a cushion, then most wouldn’t be so agitated by a tippy tappy second half seeing the game out. Despite the frustration with RM style of play, I don’t think he takes the blame for the lack of goals. That rests with those responsible for the signings, who have failed for a few seasons now on that front.

Sulemana is the more threatening of the three. Edozie does offer a bit of pace, and nifty footwork, albeit seldom any end product. Mara on the other hand is often a waste of space.

I remember that, and had a similar thought, as to whether he’d be putting himself into tackles and 50:50 balls as he might have done pre-injury. Not criticising him if it is the case after the ordeal of a long term injury, it’s understandable. Any questions over that are for those who made the signing with the inherent risks involved.

Very few players are given a licence to roam and do their own thing. MLT was the obvious exception but I don’t think Sulemana has shown enough to be given the same freedom. MLT prospered under Alan Ball, due in part to the fact others upped the work rate to cover for his other duties. Questionable how our current bunch would adapt to a bit extra required of them, or whether KS would rise to the challenge either.

Don’t want to clutter the pre-match thread but can’t agree with you. I don’t recall any other managers being told by a Judge that their “evidence is unreliable” Can only think of one manager who might come close,as a London wideboy.

Is that the league we are striving to get into ?

Was certainly subdued on Saturday. I can understand it falling a bit flat in the second half with the performance, but it didn’t really get going in the first half, or pre-match. There didn’t seem to be any urgency among the support (or the team for that matter). Strange as the support at Hull a month ago I thought was quite good through the match. Perhaps motivated by some gobby toothless inbreds in the home section to our right in the first half. Agree with others that the constant repetition of songs about skates is tedious. Perhaps a reflection that we no longer have any real heroes in the team.

Don't know if your post was written with yesterday in mind, but it seems a little generous to describe our first half showing as good attacking football. Even though we controlled possession (82% at HT) it seemed to fizzle out in the final third, and from where we were sat the only real attempts at their goal came towards the end of the half, Armstrong hitting a post, Smallbone trying from outside the penalty area, then the goal itself. Totally agree about the second half though.

Wasn't Manning in the Championship Team of The Season last year ? Can't see it myself from what we've seen of him. Don't disagree with you about keeping Perraud , but if Manning was in the TOS then I can understand why RM might have expected more from him this time round.

lIke signing kids from their YOP scheme, our fans take their songs. Out of interest, when was our last 'original' song ? (OWTS aside of course)

Were a bogey team last time down, think they were the only side to do the double over us.

I think this was critical in the timing of his substitution. He was playing himself and us into trouble, and probably couldn't be relied upon not to make another lunging or reckless tackle.

I agree with you that’s it’s a tremendous achievement. Didn’t do MLT’s England career any good though

No beard. One of them must be an imposter.

You have to feel sorry for Liverpool, Klopp and their supporters in all this. I’m sure they feel the real victims as they no longer have a monopoly of being victims in their own city.

Good job it’s not a deprived area with social problems then and they can find money to spare.

Enjoyed reading your story about match and your walk home. Quite a trek. Out of interest what time did you get back ? The pre mobile phone days thing is something younger fans can’t fathom. Two of us set off for a Saints away match in his new company car. Couple of pub stops, arrived at the stadium c2pm to find it deserted bar a few Police who were getting back in their van to leave. Told us it had been called off about 10.30 that morning. No mobiles then, and at that point no radio in the car !! (Back to the pub crawl home then) Tell that to kids today, they won’t believe you.

Haven’t read the whole thread or seen the news this morning but was there a candle lit vigil overnight up there ?

Inclined to agree, and I suspect if us, Bournemouth, Luton were to be made an example of it might have been -15 to begin with( perhaps reduced to -10 on appeal). Expect this might also be reduced to a more manageable-5 at some point to have no bearing on the final table. But, it’s Everton we’re talking of, so like Spurs, or the skates, couldn’t care how unjust or inequitable. In fact, the more the better, makes it even sweeter to watch.

This thread has thrown up a few points of interest, including above. I was told the amber and black kit was borrowed from the Hampshire Regiment rather than FA. Had a read of one of the Saints history books and it supports this, although the first time it was worn was in c1950 for an away cup tie at Sunderland. Seems incredible now but comment was that due to their own colour clashes Sunderland and Newcastle swapped shirts that day so Sunderland played in black and white stripes, and Newcastle in red and white. ( Personally not sure that change would give them any advantage as Newcastle were at Bolton). Final thought I remember Fitzhugh Fella telling us that Saints also played a home cup tie (1950’s I think) in burgundy or maroon once owing to a colour clash. Don’t recall opponents and can’t find reference in the book as yet.

Good point. Would also avoid traffic congestion what with 10,000 skates coming from the opposite direction just for a punch up.

They’d want to the coach to drive towards Whitely before joining the M27 as the usual route might not be long enough for a game of bingo on the bus.

Think around that time one of the teams in the draw was Metropolitan Police. Thought that would have been a novel draw, and interesting to see how the ‘away fans’ if playing at St Mary’s behaved ( or should I say conducted themselves in an orderly manner).